How do we prepare for death? We cannot prepare through increased wealth.
Psalms 49:16-17 (NLT): "So don't be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave."
Expensive homes do not increase the length of life. Earthly honor and glory fade; they cannot prevent death. Wealth is worthless in the grave. We can't take wealth with us.
Ecclesiastes 5:15: "Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand."
All the pomp and circumstance you get in this present life will perish with your last breath. The grave levels the playing field between the "haves" and the "have nots". Remember the story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus. Despite all the wealth of the rich man and the lack of wealth of Lazarus, both men died. They had death in common, but their eternal destiny was vastly different. Therefore it is foolish to be jealous of unbelieving wealthy people for their doom is sure. Though they enjoy great splendor and prosper in this life, they pass away into darkness, taking nothing with them.
The advice of the Psalmist is clear: do not be dismayed or overawed when a man grows rich. A proper perspective is necessary for spiritual discernment of life. The destiny of the righteous is far better than the fleeting glory of the wicked. Let us not fret over those who gain earth's temporary trinkets.
Psalm 37:1-2: "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away."
Psalms 49:16-17 (NLT): "So don't be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave."
Expensive homes do not increase the length of life. Earthly honor and glory fade; they cannot prevent death. Wealth is worthless in the grave. We can't take wealth with us.
Ecclesiastes 5:15: "Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand."
All the pomp and circumstance you get in this present life will perish with your last breath. The grave levels the playing field between the "haves" and the "have nots". Remember the story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus. Despite all the wealth of the rich man and the lack of wealth of Lazarus, both men died. They had death in common, but their eternal destiny was vastly different. Therefore it is foolish to be jealous of unbelieving wealthy people for their doom is sure. Though they enjoy great splendor and prosper in this life, they pass away into darkness, taking nothing with them.
The advice of the Psalmist is clear: do not be dismayed or overawed when a man grows rich. A proper perspective is necessary for spiritual discernment of life. The destiny of the righteous is far better than the fleeting glory of the wicked. Let us not fret over those who gain earth's temporary trinkets.
Psalm 37:1-2: "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away."
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